Transnational Identities: Kenya's border population
In total, over 70 different population groups live in Kenya. In colonial times, new political borders suddenly ran right through the middle of many such local communities, which nevertheless remained interconnected. In total, over 70 different population groups live in Kenya. In colonial times, new political borders suddenly ran right through the middle of many such local communities, which nevertheless remained interconnected. Even today, close cross-border interactions are part of everyday life in most African border regions. Local border relations are characterised by shared border economies, bi-national family structures, shared languages, cultures, and sometimes even cross-border indigenous political systems. This also means that border populations can elude clear national categorisation. Nationality may be perceived as of little significance compared to ethnic or religious transnational affiliations.
This border is just for formality. We are together: as one community governed by Gadaa. The language is the same, the culture is the same. Brothers and sisters. There is no difference.”
